Computing machine



June 6, i933. R AT 1,913,068

COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 77 T v I 72 j 73 a 75 2 31W 72, Z Harry R 0x2 0.

June 6, 1933,

H. P. CATO COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Harry I. Cal o.

/ wot/W430 Patented June 6, 1933 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY P. CATO, F VALLEY, NEBRASKA COMPUTING MACHINE Application filed May 1, 1930. Serial No. 449,044.

This invention provides a device intended chiefly for use at stations dispensing motor fuel, lubricating oil and other liquid to indicate the cost of a definite amount of the article.

A device of the character aforesaid is particularly advanageous when the price is fractional as it obviates calculation and indicates a cost equitable to both the purchaser and dispenser when the computation is not even,

that is, includes a fraction.

The machine comprises an elongated casing having an observation opening in its 1 front and a quantity indicating scale adjacent the observation opening, rollers within the casing upon opposite sides of the observation opening, gearing connecting the roll crs at one end to impart a reverse rotation thereto, and a computing web, sheet or strip attached at its ends to the rollers and adapted to be wound upon one and simultaneously unwound from the other, said web being provided with columns of figures indicating computations, or total costs, and said comutation columns having price headings.

lVhile the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a computing machine illustrative of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the inr terior mechanism removed from the casing, parts being broken away and the computing strip omitted.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line i4- of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the sectional line 55 of Figure 3, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The machine is elongated and comprises a casing closed at its ends by caps and an intcrior mechanism readily removable fromthe v casing and including a framework, a web, rollers therefor, and gearing for simultaneously operating the rollers to wind the web upon one and unwind it from the other.

The casing is preferably of sheet metal and comprises a back 1, sides 2, and a front 3, in which is formed an observation opening 4 to expose the readings on the web 5. The sides 2 extend a slight distance beyond the front 3 and terminate in flanges 6 which are disposed inwardly to overlap side portions of a glass front 7 The front 3 has side portions bent to form flanges 8 which are disposed against the inner faces of the sides 2 to which they are soldered or otherwise rigidly attached. This results in the formation of a stiff and rigid structure adjacent the front of the casing. A card 9 is located between the front 3 and glass 7 and has an opening coinciding with the observation opening 4% to expose the columns of figures on the computing web 5. The card 9 is provided with an index at one side of the observation opening to designate quantity. The indicating scale 10 bears numbers from 1 to 20,1epresenting gallons of motor fuel or other liquid to be dispensed. The opposite side portion of the card 9 may bear any legend for the information of the customer such as Tax included. Similar caps 11 and 12 close I the ends of the casing and operate to retain the interior mechanism in position. Any suitable means may be employed to secure the caps when slipped upon the ends of the easing. Screws 13 are employed and pass through the rims of the caps and sides of the casing and enter blocks 14 and 15 disposed within end portions of the casing.

, The upper block 14 is solid whereas the lower block has a recess 16 formed in its upper side which is closed by a plate 17 1 secured to the hlocl: 15 by suitable fastening means. Rollers 18 are mounted in the blocks 11 and 15 and tae ends ot the web 5 are attached thereto admi of winding the web upon either one of the rollers when the same is tipur 19 fast to the lower c1 oi the rollers 18 are in mesh with an idle gear 20 so that rotation of the gear 20 will t rwfcrse rotation of the rollers 18 to positively wind the web 5 upon one of the rollers and unwind it from the other roller. The gear wheels l9 and 20 are located in the recess 16 and, for convenience, the idle gear 20 is adapted to he rotated by means ot a key 21, which en .g'ed with the gear 20 when it is desired to adjust the web 5 to bring a particular column oi computation ligrures in position to he read through the observat on opening l. A plate 22 is connected at its ends to the blocks l-fl and 15 and terms a support For that portion of the web 5 opposite the observation opening a.

The web 5 may consistof a strip or sheet of stout paper or stitlened fabric and may be of any length, and is provided upon one side with columns of figures representing computations, said columns having price head ings which, in conjunction with the quantity scale, indicates the price within the limit oi. the quantity scale. That portion of the web 5 opposite the observation opening 4 is held close to the glass 7 by the plate 22 so that the figures representing the computations may be easily read. It is understood that the deviceis conspicuously positioned for convenience of the customer as well as the dis penser. When the price changes the web 5 is adjusted to bring the price heading opposite the observation opening: 4. As shown in Figure l of the drawings, the price heading: is The cost of one gallon is indicated on the computing scale as 22, it being understood that allowance must he made for the fraction. Four gallons of motor fuel at 21 cents per gallon is 87 even, as indicated on the computing; scale. The total cost of any num her of gallons from one to twenty inclusive, is indicated on the figure oi? the computing scale opposite the amount of the quantity scale. as will be readily con'iprehcnded.

hat is claimed is:

A computing device con'iprisin; a casing open at its ends and front, a. front plate having; a central elongated ohservation opening and having its side edges bent to form forwardly projecting flanges hearing againstand permanently secured to the sides of the casing. said sides of the casing beingbent to form inwardly extending flanges bearing against and extending laterally beyond the ends of the flanges on the front plate to form an intermediate pocket, a card seated in said pocket and having an opening registering with the observation opening, a transparent cover fitted in the pocket and extending over the card and the opening in the card and front plate and bearing against the flanges 011 the sides of the casing whereby said flanges will hold the cover and card within the pocket and against the front plate, blocks at the ends of the casing bearing against. the inner side of the front plate and having their forward edges cut away to form seating recesses, a connecting plate seated at its ends in the recesses of the blocks immediately hack of the observation opening, caps of substantially the same height as the thickness of the blocks fitted over the ends of the casing and secured to said blocks and casing, and a web supported by and movable transversely over said connecting plate at the rear of the front plate, said. web and card hearing correlated data.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY P. CATO. [Ls] 

